|  |  | Overview
Today, network designers are moving away from using bridges and hubs and are primarily using switches and routers to build networks. Chapter 1, "Review: The OSI Reference Model and Routing," provides a review of the OSI reference model and an overview of network planning and design considerations related to routing. This chapter discusses problems in a local-area network (LAN) and possible solutions that can improve LAN performance. You will learn about LAN congestion and its effect on network performance and the advantages of LAN segmentation in a network. In addition, you will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using bridges, switches, and routers for LAN segmentation and the effects of switching, bridging, and routing on network throughput. Finally, you will learn about Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and VLANs, and the benefits of these technologies.
| Threaded Case Study
Washington Project: LAN Switching
As you read through this chapter on LAN switching, consider why switches are being introduced. Imagine where switches might be used in an Elementary school site LAN design.